A Complete Approach to Stroke Rehabilitation

Stroke occurs when blood flow is lost in the brain. When blood flow is blocked or lost, localized damage occurs. Stroke symptoms vary depending on the severity and location of the damage, but typically may include:

Weakness or partial paralysis, usually on one side of the body

Speech and swallowing difficulties

Trouble with balance, walking and movement

Difficulty grasping and using the affected hand

Stroke symptoms often respond to rehabilitation treatment. A careful therapy plan targeting strength, skill and speech improvement can help bring the stroke victim to the fullest potential of recovery and function.

Stroke

Reducing stroke risk

According to the National Stroke Association, up to 80% of all strokes are preventable. If you have one or more risk factors, it’s important that you learn about changes you can make to prevent stroke.

Risk factors leading to stroke

According to the American Stroke Association, the risk factors for stroke can be hereditary, while others may result from lifestyle choices. Those risk factors resulting from lifestyle or environment can be changed with the help of a healthcare professional.

Stroke risk factors that can't be changed include: family history, sex, age and race.

Tips to lessen risk: Talk to your doctor for advice on how to:

Develop healthy food habits - a lower sodium (salt), lower fat diet

Exercise every day

Lower your blood pressure

Stop smoking

Find out if you have atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)

Moderate alcohol intake

Find out if you have high cholesterol

Control your diabetes

Prevent circulation problems

Stroke warning signs: Three-step stroke screening

Look for facial asymmetry: Ask the person to smile and look for unevenness in features – a facial “droop” or a lopsided smile – indicating weakness on one side of the body.

Look for arm drift: Have the person raise both arms straight out in front of them and look for one arm to drift down indicating a weakness on that side of the body.

Listen to speech: Ask the person to repeat something like, “The grass is green.” Look for slurred, garbled or absent speech or confusion.

Call 911 immediately if you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms.

Stroke treatment

Stroke rehabilitation programs help patients adjust to the mental and physical changes following stroke. With the goal of returning patients to independent living, therapy teams work to retrain the ability to perform daily tasks and move safely at home and in the community.

Why choose HealthSouth as your stroke treatment center?

Through intensive therapy, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospitals are committed to providing a seamless transition back home for patients recovering from stroke. HealthSouth patients get better faster.

Stroke rehabilitation at a HealthSouth hospital includes:

Patient and family education

Support groups

Orthotics

Respiratory therapy

Neuropsychology

Second Chance stroke screenings

Resources for stroke survivors

When a stroke survivor completes rehabilitative care, seeking support can benefit treatment and recovery. Join other stroke survivors as they make the journey back from stroke through the following resources: